Take Action on Common Core!!!

Do you support the Common Core Learning Standards? Do you oppose them? Do you want to see change?
Our new Commissioner of Education in New York State, MaryEllen Elia, has put out the all-call for our thoughts and opinions. Have you taken time to respond? She wants to hear from all stake-holders and the deadline is tomorrow!!
Log on and share your thoughts:
 www.nysed.gov/AIMHighNY

As an educator who values and supports the Common Core Learning Standards, it is frustrating to read so many derogatory comments and strong opinions about throwing out the common core. I love to participate in rich discourse and have passionate exchanges of opinions with anyone interested on almost any topic. However, my haunting question to any anti-common core opinion is this:
Which standard(s) do you wish to abandon/modify and WHY???
That is exactly the the task put before all New York State citizens in the survey. It is broken down by specific standard and grade level. I took the time to share my thoughts. While I added some suggestions for some modifications, I completed the survey with overwhelming support for developing the skills needed to succeed in life that are embedded in the Common Core Learning Standards.
As I took careful time to read and respond, I kept coming back to questions in my head, "Why, exactly, would someone oppose our students developing this skill? What about this standard would any intelligent adult not see as necessary in education today?"

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1

Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.8

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
Why would anyone not think this a necessary part of our students' education? Read and find SUPPORT for your opinion. We have moved into the age of everyone sharing opinions from average citizens via social media and letters to the editor, to politicians to movie and rock stars using their fame to create a platform. Differing opinions and free speech make our country great. BUT, SUPPORTING OUR OPINION with facts is necessary. Teaching our students to take a well-informed stand and to be discerning about the opinions of others is a life skill and MUST be taught.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
This standard speaks for itself. Being proficient in communication skills is necessary and the level to which we hold students accountable for this standard MUST be integral to education. When an 18 year old adult enters society unable to speak and write without basic grammar mistakes, our educational system has let that student down. 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRS.W.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.Technology is an absolute must in our educational system today. This standard is a concrete example of a NECESSARY and NEEDED change that came about with the implementation of the CCLS in New York State and across the country. This standard is a life skill that is needed by almost every profession in our world today.

I could go on and on listing standards and defending their importance in the role of educating students to be better-prepared to meet society's needs. But, I believe that most who log on to actually READ the standards would see their value.


I stand firmly behind the Common Core Standards in New York State and across the country as a vehicle to better-prepare our students for life after high school. As a New York State Educator Voice Fellow, I had the privilege of meeting with Commissioner Elia this summer. I am convinced that she will influence meaningful changes in our state. We are already seeing the fruits of her labor with pending changes to the APPR, New York State Assessments and other critical components of our educational system. In our meeting in August, she shared that she was open to modifications to the CCLS and launched the survey as a vehicle for all stake-holders to share their suggestions.
I encourage everyone to take time to read the standards (embedded in the survey) and add specific comments/opinions. THIS IS HOW INTELLIGENT, INFORMED ADULTS CONTRIBUTE TO CHANGE! Let go of the rhetoric and be part of the change!

Thank you to Commissioner MaryEllen Elia for her commitment to open communication with the citizens of New York State as she continues her important work.
THIS SURVEY CLOSES on NOVEMBER 30th! ACT NOW!!

Power of the Positive!

I work in a PBIS school, which means the focus is on the POSITIVE! I have watched PBIS transform our middle school climate to such a positive learning environment that I sometimes take it for granted, as it is now the norm. But, this week, I was reminded of the POWER OF THE POSITIVE both at home and at work.

Anyone who has any contact with me knows that our family lives for baseball. This year, my son, Mike,  added football to his repertoire with much success. Winter is the conundrum for Mike. He has experimented with wrestling, indoor soccer, 1 skiing lesson and last year,  his first season of basketball. As winter sports season approached, we stepped back and let Mike work out his decision-making for himself. He vowed to try out for basketball again. Thankfully, he made the cut. He is giving this season his all, as Mike does nothing halfway. (Wonder where he gets that?) But, he is a realist and knows his strength is not in basketball (at least not yet).

Recently, one of the coaches pulled him aside at practice and asked if he was planning to be part of the program next year (which would be varsity). Mike fumbled with his answer, perhaps thinking that his skills are not varsity material. But, he answered, "Most likely, yes, I guess." The coach went on to share how happy he was, that he was seen as a leader and is a model student-athlete. His accolades went on for a few minutes. 

My son beamed as he repeated the conversation to me. Inside, I was jumping for joy. All parents hope to raise children of whom we can be proud. This was indeed was a great mom moment. I know that I must send a note to that coach to share how thankful I am that he took the time to be positive. Mike now sees himself as more valuable to his team than he once thought.

November means parent-teacher conferences in most area elementary and many middle schools. I work in a community that has many supportive, engaged parents who accept the invitation to come in for conferences. Traditionally, we go non-stop for days meeting with parents in a turn-style crazy schedule after students dismiss.  But, this year, we took a different approach. Our Principal, Lisa Meade, suggested that we only invite parents of students who were having difficulty (academically, socially, emotionally, etc.) so that we could have more meaningful conversations and plan more strategically for improvements and support in lieu of the 10 minute drive-thru conference.

In theory, it sounded great. But, what about our students who are doing well? Don't they deserve affirmation, too? Our Principal requested that we make time to initiate positive contact for those students, as well. What a great idea! As the team leader, I asked my colleagues to collaborate and agree on to whom we would reach out so that we could contact as many families as possible. The discussion that ensued was incredible. As we each began listing students for whom we would like to make POSITIVE contact, we were having a discussion about a majority of our students, sharing why we would choose those students and how they were doing in our classes. I cannot remember the last time that we had a team meeting talking all about great kids. We parted, each with a plan to contact via mail, email and phone, as many parents and families as possible with kind and positive news! What a great way to go into our Thanksgiving break!

I am thankful that I work in a school that focuses on the positive, led by a Principal who would not have it any other way.

I am thankful for terrific colleagues, especially on my 8th grade team. We each see different strengths and talents in our students.

I am thankful for the adults in my son's life: coaches, teachers and fellow parents, who make time to share positive feedback. It means more than they might ever know. Being a mom has made me a better teacher! It reminds me what makes good schools and teachers - GREAT! 

May we never forget the power of kind words and celebrating the POSITIVE!

"Unless someone offers a friendly smile, a helping hand, a caring word, a listening ear, somebody somewhere loses the courage to live."  - Parish motto, Blessed Sacrament, Bolton Landing, NY